Page 12 of Rookie Days

“A kiss?”

“Cut it out.”

“Oh, but you are so fun to play with.” Janet grinned. “Okay, what do you need?”

“Keep an eye on Ellie for me, please.”

“That’s an easy request. I could look at her all day long and not be bored a second.”

“That’s not what I meant. Do you think that you could keep your hormo—”

“I’ll just stop you there before you say anything insulting,” Janet interrupted, raising a hand in her face. “Go back to work. Take a chill pill. Remember you have at least three solid reasons to be pleased with your achievements today.”

“Yeah.” Quinn rolled her shoulders and neck, shaking some of the tension loose. “We got the kids out.”

“Exactly. The rest will sort itself out in due time.”

“I suppose it will. Thanks for the reminder.”

“No problem.” Janet dispensed a quick hug. “Get on, then. I’ll keep you posted.”

“You’re the best.”

“Indeed, and don’t you forget it.”

Quinn left her on a grin and a chuckle, which was good. She was the driven and focused type. Sometimes a little too extreme in her ways, especially when Lia was not around to keep her balanced. Ellie James seemed molded of exactly the same stuff. She rarely attended the boozy barbecues and regular parties that brought the community of Lewiston’s first responders together. Janet wondered why, and she knew that she was not the only one. Ellie James was a difficult one to ignore… Tall and slender, with thick black hair styled into messy layers that just brushed the nape of her neck, she carried herself with alluring ease and confidence. Luminous grey eyes, sharp features, and a generous mouth completed the picture. She stood out in a crowd, and a somewhat aloof and brooding demeanor only made her thatmuch more appealing and intriguing to Janet. She had a good fifteen years or so on the woman, but so what? She paused at the door, watching an unsuspecting Ellie fiddle with the tape that kept her IV in place. She was still too pale, and Janet would bet that it was because of the conversation with Quinn. She stepped in before her patient could rip the needle out of her arm and cause herself more damage.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Ellie glanced up, startled, looking briefly like a child caught stealing candy. The look soon morphed into a defiant stare that did not totally eclipse the pain lingering behind her eyes. Janet was quick to smile.

“I mean that you should let me help.”

“Right. Sure, thanks.”

“Of course. How are you feeling?”

“Ah…“ The sigh was so heartfelt as to be comical. “I hate hospitals.”

“Not many people do, so I won’t take it personally. Unless you hate doctors, too?”

“Uh. No.”

“Liar,” Janet teased, and stuck at it. “Answer my question, Detective. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine.” Ellie shrugged. “I was just about to leave.”

“Oh?” Janet faked surprise. “Has Dr Andrews signed off on your release already?”

The question earned her a blank stare, followed by another, more aggressive shrug.

“No idea. But I’m good to go, so—”

“Just relax for a minute. I won’t stand in your way.” Janet deftly pulled the IV needle out of her arm, pressed a cotton ball over it, and secured it with fresh tape. “I spoke to your surgeon and you are cleared to go. Home,” she emphasized, catching the gleam in Ellie’s eye. “Not straight back to duty, alright?”

“Yeah, got it. I’ve been put on leave anyway.”

Janet did not comment on the note of disgust in her voice when Ellie shared that bit of information.